The Barbados cherry, scientifically known as Malpighia emarginata, is a tropical fruit tree native to the Lesser Antilles, the West Indies, and northern South America. This bushy shrub or small tree is commonly referred to as the Acerola cherry or West Indian cherry. It is highly valued for its small, bright red fruits. The fruit is a nutritional powerhouse, renowned for containing one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C among all fruits, making it a popular ingredient in juices and supplements. While the tart, juicy pulp is eagerly consumed, the hard structures found inside the fruit are the seeds.
Identifying the Seeds
The Barbados cherry fruit, which is a type of drupe, contains two or three small, hard seed structures, often referred to as nutlets. These nutlets are distinctly three-lobed or segmented, reflecting the fruit’s internal structure, unlike the pit of a traditional cherry. Encased within the fleshy pulp, these seeds are typically small, with a rough, yellowish-brown surface. Identifying these structures is simple: they are the only hard inclusions found when biting into the soft, juicy fruit.
Safety and Consumption
The primary question regarding Barbados cherry seeds concerns their safety, particularly compared to the pits of other stone fruits like peaches or standard cherries. Unlike the pits of some Prunus species, there is no widespread scientific or anecdotal evidence suggesting the Barbados cherry seeds contain significant levels of cyanogenic glycosides that pose a severe toxicity risk. The seeds are generally considered non-toxic, and accidental swallowing of a few whole seeds is not expected to cause harm.
The main reason the seeds are not consumed is purely their texture and size, as they are hard, woody, and unpalatable. Whole seeds that are accidentally swallowed will simply pass through the digestive system without breaking down, similar to other small, hard plant materials. However, ingesting a large quantity of any hard, small object carries a minor risk of digestive irritation or, in rare cases, an obstruction, so intentional consumption is strongly discouraged.
Propagation Methods
Using the seeds to grow a new Barbados cherry plant is a common propagation method, though it requires patience due to a naturally low and slow germination rate. The process begins with carefully cleaning the seeds immediately after extraction from a ripe fruit to remove all traces of fruit pulp, which can inhibit germination. Once cleaned, the nutlets should be dried for a few days to prepare them for planting.
To improve the chances of sprouting, some gardeners recommend soaking the seeds in warm water for about 24 hours prior to planting. The seeds should then be planted in a well-drained, slightly acidic soil mixture at a shallow depth, typically about a half-inch deep. Maintaining a warm environment, ideally between 70°F and 85°F, is conducive to sprouting, but the germination period can be highly variable, ranging from six to twelve months or longer.